Mesembria (Greek: Μεσημβρια, meaning "Midday/Noon") was the sixth eldest of the Horae. She was the daughter of Chronos and Ananke.
Myths & Legends[]
She represented the time of noon. She is sometimes depicted as a maiden in a red, flaming dress representing th sun at its highest power.
Accompanies Helios[]
The Horae are known to accompany Helios into the sky, and take care of the horses that pull the chariot of the sun. As mentioned in the poem below, they would assist in taking the horses out to pasture, taking Helios' corona off his head, and putting away the chariot.
"Far on the sloping margin of the western sea sinking Sol (the Sun) [Helios] had unyoked his flaming steeds, and laved their bright manes in the springs of Oceanus . . . and the swift-striding Horae (Hours), who strip him of his reins and the woven glory of his golden coronet, and relive his horse's dripping breasts of the hot harness; some turn the well-deserving steeds into the soft pasture, and lean the chariot backward, pole in air."
- Statius, Thebaid 3. 406 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.)
Handmaiden of Harmonia[]
Mesembria was also specifically mentioned in the poem Dionysiaca as a protector and handmaiden of the hall of Harmonia (in the vault of heaven), who stood at one of the four gates. She attended to the side towards the South Wind, Notos.
"Handmaids [i.e. the Horai (Hours)] protected this dwelling on all sides, a round image of the universe : the doors were allotted--Anatolia (Rising) was the maid who attended the East Wind's (Euros') gate; at the West Wind's (Zephyros') was Dysis (Setting) the nurse of Selene (the Moon); Mesembrias (Midday) held the bold of the fiery South (Notos); Arktos the Bear was the servant who opened the gate of the North (Boreas), thick with clouds and sprinkled with hail."
| Horae | |
|---|---|
| 12 Horae of the Hours | Auge • Anatole • Mousica • Gymnastica • Nymphe • Mesembria • Sponde • Elete • Acte • Hesperis • Dysis • Arctus |
| Horae of the Seasons | Eiar of Spring • Theros of Summer • Phthinophoron of Fall • Cheimon of Winter |
| Horae of the Harvest-times | Auxo • Carpho • Damia • Orthosia • Pherusa • Thallo |
| Personficiation Horae | Dike of Justice • Eirene of Peace • Eunomia of Good Order |